A video captured the chaotic moments when tribal police in Nevada dispersed at gunpoint a group of climate protesters who were blocking a road and causing a massive traffic jam for those looking to get to the Burning Man festival.
The footage taken Sunday at the beginning of the annual gathering in northern Nevada’s Black Rock Desert shows a law enforcement vehicle smashing into a sign that reads, “Burners of the World Unite,” and a trailer that had been set up across the road behind it. [emphasis, links added]
“We are not violent! Please… we have no weapons at all, we are environmental protesters!” a woman is heard yelling as police handcuff one of the demonstrators.
In the buildup to the police response, the same woman appears to have chained herself to the trailer, which members of the public are seen trying to move so traffic can start flowing again.
“People are getting hurt because of climate change. Look at what happened in Maui, look at what is happening right now in Canada,” she said as tensions were escalating.
“Get out of the way!” a woman responded.
The video, taken by FreedomNewsTV, begins with people arguing with the demonstrators over the trailer on the road. Leaning up against the trailer are signs that say, “General Strike for Climate” and “Abolish Capitalism“.
“We got to get through, help us, we got sh-t to do!” a man in a cowboy hat is heard saying as he starts trying to dismantle the trailer.
“You’re going to hurt someone,” a male protester tells him.
“I don’t care… there are people with medical problems here and you are causing them to be in the f*cking hot sun,” he responds.
As the two sides continue to argue, the male protester then says, “This is a democracy, we have a right to protest! Get the cops! F*cking unbelievable,” before adding, “This is how we are trying to wake up the community.”
A person then asks him, “How are [you] going to change the world doing this, man?” pointing to the scene in the road.
“Every change in society came from civil disobedience, all of them!” he says.
Police then finally show up with their sirens blaring.
“Get out now! On the ground! All of you on the ground now!” an officer says as he exits his Rangers truck with his weapon drawn.
“Stop resisting!” a voice then yells as police handcuff a woman.
The video footage ends with police picking up the climate protesters’ signs and tossing them on the side of the road while making more arrests.
A timelapse video of the traffic jam showed at least 150 vehicles, including several tour buses, backed up as a result of the protest.
Images via Fox News/screencap (Credit: Oliya Scootercaster / FreedomNewsTV)
Read more at Fox News
The demonstrators are emboldened by the lack of consequences. Same in the cities, no cash bail, the crime rate escalates. In this scene, 150 vehicles are idling in the sun with their air conditioners cranked, wasting fuel. Maybe 750 people who now hate environmentalists.
I saw a video of this last night on Fox News. Loved that the police just started arresting the protesters. No pussy footing around. This is what the police need to be doing around the world. Yes, protesters have the right to protest but they are not allowed to do so in the middle of roads.
Civil disobedience: In history disobedience resulted in punishment.
This all happened on sovereign Indian Tribal land. Their laws are not the same as Federal or State laws. To make matters worse, there are just a few lawyers licensed to practice on tribal lands. The defense might have a real problem just getting a lawyer.
Many of the held-up motorists were headed to Burning Man. From all reports I’ve ever heard the folk who attend this event are very much peace-loving people. Probably not a single firearm amongst the lot. This could have been a lot lot worse.
(Looking at the belly-roll of fat on one woman, a few days on bread and water wouldn’t hurt.)
Most satisfying video I’ve seen in years!
They just found out the Hardway that not everybody will put up with their stupid stunts like Blocking Roads and hear the little snowflakes cry over it all